Due to my busy life of university, three children, a husband and writing, I don't often get the chance to write my blog (sigh). However, a shocking reality struck me last night, that I have to share.
Doctors and Nurses deserve movie star wages, on sight massages and our admiration.
It was getting on for bed time. Christian, as usual was sat by his computer racing motorbikes. Gabriel and Nathaniel were playing their usual boystrous games in the living room. I had left the room for no more than three minutes when the screams began. (Isn't that always the way?!)
I ran down the stairs to find Nathaniel covered in blood, clinging to Daddy (who had run faster than me to get to him). Chaos ensued. Gabriel was horror struck and getting more and more hysterical by the minute, Christian, was 'helping' as much as he could in his way.
We arrived at a thankfully half empty hospital waiting room and were called for assessment quickly. Nathaniel sat on Daddy's knee still with a towel pressed against his mouth. As the nurse leaned in and took the towel away, the full horror of the injury was on full view. His bottom lip was sliced in half. Blood matted his chin and clothes as the wound hung open.
This moment is where Nurses everywhere, earn the honor of a capital N. At the sight of the wound, Gabriel broke down. Seeing his little brother in such a state was too much. I stood in the corner of the room shielding him from the sight as the Nurse watched.
She didn't judge, scoff or begrudge. She immediately found us a private room so that the boys could handle the situation without onlookers. I couldn't thank her enough.
The arrival of the Doctor was swift. Brave Nathaniel laid out on the bed while the Doctors prodded and poked. This is the moment I will remember, as the igniting of my awareness of the role of a health professional. It wasn't an easy situation. Nathaniel being on the Autistic spectrum has his own quirky personality differences, which most people don't understand : Like how we make 'Owl' noises to calm down when upset. I sat on the bed holding his hands as the doctor attempted the numb his mouth. This did not go down well, as "sharp things shouldn't be near his head". Half an hour into the stitching, Nathaniel and the Doctor were doing great. I was coming out of a tirade of lies, telling Nathaniel "no he's not putting holes in you, he's just cleaning your lip". and "no, it's not a sharp thing, just something to hold the sponge with". Lying feels wrong! In the midst of the third stitch alarms began to blare all around us. Footsteps on the other side of the curtain thundered past as the yells could be heard. A man, for some reason unknown, was shouting uncontrollably at the staff. Apparently, he didn't care if he had a heart attack, he wouldn't be treat with no respect (Great way to earn it!). Poor Nathaniel panicked with the noise, the Doctor (after making sure Nat was OK) rushed to help his colleagues. How can anyone think that this kind of behavior is acceptable. The Doctors and Nurses most likely saved his life, just for him to take out his stress on them. Thankfully, once the situation was settled, our Doctor returned (apologized!), and finished Nathaniel's stitches fantastically. The Doctor, I'm sure, would have just moved on to the next patient without a thought. My family and I however, will always be grateful.
So this is my small way of thanking the medical staff of Lancaster infirmary. You have to put up with ridiculous behavior from patients, threats for no reason and all for far too little pay. Yet, we were treated with full respect, thoughtfulness, consideration and above all, professionalism.
Thank you doesn't seem enough, but I sincerely mean it.
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